The School of Education’s Career Center made big changes over the past year, aiming to expand its resources and support for students as they navigate their first internship or job searches, and establish long-term career goals.
The center’s expanded efforts included an initiative to cultivate and promote more than 400 paid internships for students across the School’s Art, Dance, Education Studies, Health Promotion and Health Equity, and Theatre and Drama majors.
“Prioritizing paid experiences was important to the School as we strive to find ways to center equitable access to experiences and minimize participation barriers,” says Jamie Macias, director of career services and strategy at the Career Center.
New internship promotion efforts also included the ConnectED career events series. In the series, “career treks” took students for on-site visits at potential internship and employment locations, while on-campus Career Connectors events brought employers to campus to meet with students and connect in small group conversations.
Audrey Soto, a talent acquisition specialist for the Chicago- based creative and marketing agency AbelsonTaylor, says the Career Connector event for design and digital media students in November was a great opportunity to connect with students — and for students to showcase their interests.
“This event was an excellent way for students to go above and beyond and stand out when networking for internships and entry-level positions,” Soto says.
One of those students, Art major Linnea Edwards, says the event provided a comfortable space to make important connections.
“This is a cool event for students who want an in-person opportunity to meet with employers in a low-pressure, fun, and conversational environment,” Edwards says.
The Career Center also created and hired two new staff members in 2022 dedicated to fostering and stewarding relationships with important career-related partners outside the School, including employers, alumni, and community organizations.
“Our employer and community engagement managers facilitate professional networking, learning, and employment opportunities,” Macias says.
The Career Center also continues to offer a swath of tried- and-true events, workshops, and courses for students to explore possibilities, prepare for the workplace, and develop key job search and career skills.
Macias says the combination of new initiatives and established services represents an exciting new vision for the Career Center and a renewed commitment to preparation, skill development, and high-quality experiences for the School’s outstanding students and graduates.
Macias encourages alumni to consider connecting with the Career Center as well.
“School of Education alumni play a vital role in helping to shape the learning, connections, and opportunities available to our current and future students,” she says.
Hey, alumni!
Want to support the School of Education’s Career Center?
Please consider:
- Serving as a speaker or panelist at a career readiness workshop or event
- Hosting our students at your workplace for a learning session and tour
- Connecting us with your HR colleagues
- Sharing employment opportunities with us
- Joining our LinkedIn community